Method of treating depression with arylglycinamide derivatives

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to new arylglycinamide derivatives of general formula I                    
     and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R 1  and R 2  together with the N to which they are bound form a ring of the formula                    
     wherein 
     p is 2 or 3 and 
     X denotes oxygen, N(CH 2 ) n R 6  or CR 7 R 8 , 
     and R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , Ar and n have the meanings given in the specification, and the preparation and use thereof. The new compounds are valuable neurokinin (tachykinin)-antagonists.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 09/752,730, filed Jan. 3, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,303,601, which is a division of application Ser. No. 09/507,581, filed Feb. 18, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,251,909, which is a division of application Ser. No. 08/930,704, §102(e) date Oct. 29, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,124,296, which is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP96/01548, filed Apr. 11, 1996.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to new arylglycinamide derivatives of general formula I

and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, processes for preparing them and pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds. The compounds are valuable neurokinin (tachykinin) antagonists.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The abbreviations used in the specification and claims are explained as follows:

CDI=Carbonyldiimidazole

DCCI=Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide

HOBt=1-Hydroxybenzotriazole

THF=Tetrahydrofuran

DMF=Dimethylformamide

RT=Room temperature

DMAP=4-Dimethylaminopyridine

TBTU=O-Benzotriazolyl-tetramethyluroniumtetrafluoroborate

In order to show the formulae, a simplified representation is used. In the representation of the compounds all CH₃-substituents are represented by a single bond, and for example the following formula

represents

The invention relates to new aryiglycinamide derivatives of general formula I

or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof,

wherein

Ar denotes unsubstituted or mono- to pentasubstituted phenyl, or unsubstituted or mono- or di-substituted naphthyl, [in which the substituents of the phenyl and naphthyl independently of each other denote halogen (F, Cl, Br, I), OH, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃ or NR⁹R¹⁰ (wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ independently of each other denote H, methyl or acetyl)] or Ar is phenyl'substituted by —OCH₂O— or —O(CH₂)₂O—;

R¹ and R² together with the N to which they are bound form a ring of the formula

wherein

p is 2 or 3,

X denotes oxygen, N(CH₂)_(n)R⁶ or CR⁷R⁸, wherein

n is 0, 1 or 2,

R⁶ is (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, phenyl or naphthyl, wherein the phenyl may be mono- to tri-substituted by halogen (F, Cl, Br, I), (C₁₋₄)alkyl, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, CF₃, OCF₂ or NR¹⁵R¹⁶ (wherein R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ independently of each other denote H, methyl or acetyl);

R⁷ and R⁸ have one of the following meanings:

a) R⁷ and R⁸ represent H if R³ is unsubstituted or substituted phenyl,

b) R⁷ is phenyl, phenyl substituted by 1 to 3 substituents [wherein the substituents independently of one another denote halogen (F, Cl, Br, I), (C₁₋₄)alkyl, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, CF₃ or OCF₃], piperidinyl, 1-methylpiperidinyl,

 if R⁸ is H, —CONH₂, —NHC(O)CH₃, —N(CH₃)C(O)CH₃, CN

 or —C(O)N((C₁₋₃)alkyl)₂ or

c) R⁷ and R⁸ together form the group

R³ denotes H, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, unsubstituted or mono- to tri-substituted phenyl, wherein the substituents independently of one another represent halogen (F, Cl, Br, I), (C₁₋₄)alkyl, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃ or NR¹⁷R¹⁸ (wherein R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ independently of one another denote H, methyl or acetyl);

R⁴ denotes phenyl(C₁₋₄)alkyl or naphthyl(C₁₋₄)alkyl, wherein phenyl may be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents, wherein the substituents independently of one another are halogen (F, Cl, Br, I), (C₁₋₄)alkyl, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃ or NR¹⁹R²⁰ (wherein R¹⁹ and R²⁰ independently of one another denote H, methyl or acetyl); and

R⁵ denotes H, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, CH₂COOH, —CH₂C(O)NH₂, —OH or phenyl(C₁₋₄)alkyl.

The compounds according to the invention are valuable neurokinin (tachykinin) antagonists which have both substance P-antagonism and also neurokinin A- or neurokinin B-antagonistic properties. They are useful for the treatment and prevention of neurokinin-mediated diseases.

Compounds of general formula I may contain acid groups, chiefly carboxyl groups, and/or basic groups such as, for example, amino functions. Compounds of general formula I may therefore be obtained either as internal salts, as salts with pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid or sulphonic acid or organic acids (such as, for example, maleic acid, fumaric acid, citric acid, tartaric acid or acetic acid) or as salts with pharmaceutically acceptable bases such as alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxides or carbonates, zinc or ammonium hydroxides or organic amines such as, for example, diethylamine, triethylamine or triethanolamine, etc.

The compounds according to. the invention may occur as racemates but may also be obtained as pure enantiomers, i.e. in (R)- or (S)-form. They may also occur as diastereoisomers or mixtures thereof.

The preferred compounds of general formula I are those wherein

R¹ and R² together with the N to which they are bound form a 6-membered ring of the formula

wherein

X denotes N(CH₂)_(n)R⁶ or CR⁷R⁸,

wherein n, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ are defined as in claim 1.

Particular mention should be made of compounds of formula I wherein

X is N(CH₂)_(n)R⁶ wherein n is 0, 1 or 2 and R⁶ is (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or phenyl, particularly those compounds wherein n is 0 and R⁶ is (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, particularly those compounds wherein R⁶ is cyclobutyl or cyclohexyl.

Mention should also be made of compounds of formula I wherein

R⁷ and R⁸ have one of the following meanings:

a) R⁷ and R⁸ denote H when R³ is unsubstituted or substituted phenyl,

b) R⁷ is phenyl, piperidinyl

 if R⁸ is H, —CONH₂, —NHC(O)CH₃, —N(CH₃)C(O)CH₃ or CN, or

c) R⁷ and R⁸ together form the group

 particularly those wherein

R⁷ and R⁸ have one of the following meanings:

a) R⁷ and R⁸ denote H when R³ is unsubstituted or substituted phenyl,

b) R⁷ is phenyl,

 when R⁸ is H, —CONH₂ or CN, or

c) R⁷ and R⁸ together form the group

The preferred compounds are those wherein

R⁷ denotes phenyl

 and R⁸ is H or CN, particularly those wherein R⁷ is pyridino and R⁸ is H.

Of the compounds defined above, the preferred ones are those wherein

Ar denotes unsubstituted or mono- or di-substituted phenyl, or unsubstituted naphthyl [wherein the substituents of the phenyl independently of one another are halogen (F, Cl, Br, I), OH, methyl, methoxy, CF₃, OCF₃ or dimethylamine] or Ar is phenyl substituted by —OCH₂O—, this group connecting positions 2 and 3 or 3 and 4 of the phenyl, particularly those wherein

Ar denotes unsubstituted or mono- or di-substituted phenyl, or unsubstituted naphthyl [wherein the substituents of the phenyl independently of one another are halogen (F, Cl, Br), methoxy or CF₃] or Ar is phenyl substituted by —OCH₂O—, this group connecting positions 2 and 3 or 3 and 4 of the phenyl.

The preferred compounds are those wherein Ar is phenyl, 3,4-dichlorophenyl, 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl or 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl.

Of the compounds defined above, particular mention should be made of those wherein R³ is phenyl or preferably H.

Of the compounds defined above, mention should also be made of those wherein

R⁴ denotes phenyl(C₁₋₃)alkyl, wherein phenyl may be substituted by 1 or 2 substituents, the substituents independently of one another being halogen (F, Cl, Br, I), methyl, methoxy, CF₃ or OCF₃; and

R⁵ denotes H, (C₁₋₃)alkyl, CH₂COOH, —CH₂C(O)NH₂ or phenethyl,

particularly those compounds wherein

R⁴ is

and R⁵ denotes H or CH₃.

The following compounds are preferred:

The term naphthyl used above includes both 1-naphthyl and 2-naphthyl.

Test results for compounds according to the invention:

The receptor affinity for the NK₁-receptor (substance P-receptor) is determined on human lymphoblastoma cells (IM-9) with cloned NK₁-receptors, measuring the displacement of ¹²⁵I-labelled substance P. The K_(i)-values thus obtained demonstrate the efficacy of the compounds:

K_(i) Compound of Example 3: 1.4 nM Compound of Example 4: 1.0 nM Cornpound of Example 5: 1.3 nM Compound of Example 33: 1.3 nM Compound of Example 45: 1.6 nM Compound of Example 46: 1.4 nM Compound of Example 52: 1.1 nM Compound of Example 53: 2.3 nM Compound of Example 58: 6.4 nM Compound of Example 59: 4.2 nM Compound of Example 65: 9.2 nM Compound of Example 66: 1.4 nM Compound of Example 68: 1.5 nM Compound of Example 70: 2.8 nM Compound of Example 71: 2.1 nM Compound of Example 72: 6.8 nM Compound of Example 73: 1.7 nM Compound of Example 74: 11.8 nM Compound of Example 75: 180 nM Compound of Example 76: 7.0 nM

The compounds according to the invention are valuable neurokinin (tachykinin) antagonists which have, in particular, NK₁-antagonism, but also NK₂- and NK₃-antagonistic properties.

The compounds according to the invention are valuable neurokinin (tachykinin) antagonists which have both substance P-antagonism and also neurokinin A- or neurokinin B-antagonistic properties. They are useful for the treatment and prevention of neurokinin-mediated diseases: treatment and prevention of inflammatory and allergic diseases of the respiratory tract, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, rhinitis or coughs, eye diseases such as conjunctivitis and iritis, skin diseases such as dermatitis in contact eczema, urticaria, psoriasis, sunburn, insect bites and stings, neurodermitis, itching and postherpetic pain,

diseases of the gastrointestinal tract such as gastric and duodenal ulcers, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel, Hirschsprung's disease;

diseases of the joints such as rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis and Reiter'syndrome;

for treating diseases of the central nervous system such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, psychosis, depression, headaches (e.g. migraine or tension headaches) and epilepsy;

for the treatment of tumours, collagenosis, dysfunction of the urinary tract, haemorrhoids, nausea and vomiting, triggered for example by radiation or cytostatic therapy or motion and pain of all kinds.

The invention therefore also relates to the use of the compounds according to the invention as remedies and pharmaceutical preparations which contain these compounds. They are preferably for use in humans. The compounds according to the invention may be administered by intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal or intranasal route or by inhalation, by transdermal route, if desired with the aid of iontophoresis or enhancers known from the literature, and by oral route.

For parenteral administration, the compounds of formula I or the physiologically acceptable salts thereof, optionally with conventional substances such as solubilisers, emulsifiers or other adjuvants, may be made into solutions, suspensions or emulsions. Suitable solvents include, for example, water, physiological saline solutions or alcohols, e.g. ethanol, propanediol or glycerol, sugar solutions such as glucose or mannitol solutions or a mixture of various solvents.

In addition, the compounds may be administered by means of implants, e.g. of polylactide, polyglycolide or polyhydroxybutyric acid or by means of intranasal preparations.

The oral effectiveness of compounds of general formula I can be demonstrated using the following standard test:

Inhibition of the lowering of blood pressure caused by NK₁ in anaesthetised guinea pigs.

Guinea pigs weighing 300-500 grams were anaesthetised with pentobarbital (50 mg/kg i.p.), intubated and mechanically ventilated with 10 ml of ambient air per kg of body weight at a rate of 60 breaths per minute. The blood pressure was measured in the blood flow through the carotid artery. In order to introduce substances intravenously, the jugular vein was cannulated.

By the intravenous administration of the NK₁-agonist [βAla⁴, Sar⁹, Met(O₂)¹¹] SP(4-11) (0.2 μmol/kg) a brief lowering of the blood pressure was triggered which was repeated at 10 minute intervals by repeatedly giving the NK₁-agonist.

The neurokinin-antagonist was then administered by intraduodenal route and at 10 minute intervals a lowering of blood pressure was induced by means of the NK₁-agonist.

The inhibition of the lowering of blood pressure caused by the above-mentioned NK₁-agonist was measured before and after treatment with the neurokinin-antagonist.

The compound of Example 5 yielded an ID₅₀ of 1.4 mg/kg. (ID₅₀ is the dose which inhibits the lowering of blood pressure caused by the NK₁-agonist by 50%.)

The compounds according to the invention may be prepared by generally known methods.

The compounds may be prepared in various ways. The two commonest methods are shown in the following scheme:

Method A. The carboxylic acid may be linked to the amine HN(R⁵)R⁴ in various ways. The usual methods are coupling methods such as those used in peptide chemistry. A coupling reagent such as TBTU, DCCI/HOBt, CDI, etc., is added to the coupling partners in an approximately equivalent amount. Suitable solvents are DMF, THF, CH₂Cl₂, CHCl₃, acetonitrile or other inert solvents or mixtures thereof. The appropriate temperature range is between −50° C. and +120° C., preferably between 0° C. and 40° C.

The carboxylic acid may also initially be converted by means of SOCl₂, SO₂Cl₂, PCl₃, PCl₅ or PBr₃ or mixtures thereof, by known methods, into the corresponding acid halide which is subsequently reacted with the amine HN(R⁵)R⁴ in an inert solvent such as CH₂Cl₂, THF or dioxane at temperatures between −50° C. and +100° C., typically between 0° C. and 20° C.

Another alternative is to convert the carboxylic acid initially into the alkylester, usually the methylester, by known methods and then to react this ester with the amine HN(R⁵)R⁴ in an inert solvent such as DMF, dioxane or THF. The reaction temperatures are between 20° C. and 150° C., typically between 50° C. and 120° C. The reaction may also be carried out in a pressurised container.

Process B. In this, the α-halo-arylacetamide derivative obtained according to known procedures is reacted with the amine R¹(R²)NH, thereby generating hydrogen halide. In order to mop up the cleaved (or excess) hydrogen halide, inorganic bases are used such as K₂CO₃, NaHCO₃ or CaCO₃, or organic bases may be used such as triethylamine, Hung base, pyridine or DMAP, or an excess of the amine R¹(R²)NH may be used. DMF, THF, dioxane or other inert solvents are used. The temperature range for the reaction is from 0 to 100° C., typically from 10 to 80° C.

Process C. The compounds according to the invention in which R⁵ is not H may also be prepared as follows: first of all, the corresponding compound in which R⁵ is H is synthesised according to process A or B. Then N-alkylation is carried out as follows in order to introduce alkyl, cycloalkyl or CH₂COOH. The compound according to the invention wherein R⁵ is H is deprotonated with an equivalent quantity of NaH, NaNH₂, KOH, NaOCH₃ or some other strong base. Anhydrous inert solvents such as THF, dioxane or diethylether are used. Then the corresponding alkylating agent is added slowly in the form of the corresponding halide, tosylate or mesylate. The reaction is carried out in the temperature range from −50° C. to +100° C., typically between 0° C. and +50° C. The method is described in detail in Example 33.

EXAMPLE 1

1st Step: 2.2 g of 1-cyclohexylpiperazine were dissolved in 150 ml of anhydrous DMF, mixed with 2 g of K₂CO₃, stirred at room temperature for 20 minutes and then cooled to 5° C. 2.7 g of methyl (R,S)-α-bromophenylacetic acid were added and the suspension was stirred overnight at RT. The precipitate was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated down. The residue was taken up in ethyl acetate, extracted twice with 10%. KHCO₃ solution and once with saturated NaCl solution. The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated down, and 3.7 g of (R,S)-1-cyclohexyl-4-(methyl 2-phenylacetate)piperazine were obtained in the form of a yellow oil. Yield: about 100%.

2nd Step: 2.3 g of the product of the first step were dissolved in 10 ml of methanol, mixed with 14 ml of 1N NaOH and the resulting emulsion was stirred overnight at room temperature. The clear reaction solution was neutralised by the addition of 14 ml of 1N HCl, evaporated to dryness, the residue was treated with isopropanol and the solid matter was collected by suction filtration. The filtrate was evaporated down and the residue was triturated again with isopropanol, the solid matter was suction filtered and combined with the solid obtained earlier. In this way, 1.6 g of (R,S)-1-cyclohexyl-4-(2-phenylacetic acid) -piperazine were obtained as a white solid.

Yield: 75%.

3rd Step: 0.6 g of the product of the second step, 0.48 g of 3,5-bis-(trifluoromethyl)-benzylamine and 0.32 g of HOBT were suspended in 60 ml of THF/CH₂Cl₂ (1:1) and adjusted to pH 8.5 by the addition of about 0.7 ml of Hünig base. 0.77 g of TBTU were added and the mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. The clear reaction solution was evaporated down in vacuo, the residue was taken up in CH₂Cl₂ and extracted twice with 10% KHSO₄ solution, once with saturated NaCl solution, twice with 10% KHCO₃ solution and once more with saturated NaCl solution. The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated down, whereupon crystallisation took place. 0.685 g of (R,S)-1-cyclohexyl-piperazinyl-4-[2-phenylacetic acid-N-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethylbenzyl)amide] were obtained as a yellowish solid. Yield 64%.

Mp: 124-129° C. FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=528.2.

EXAMPLE 2

1st Step: 0.49 g of 3,5-bis-(trifluoromethyl)-benzylamine were dissolved in 30 ml of anhydrous CH₂Cl₂, 0.3 ml of triethylamine were added, the mixture was cooled in an ice bath and over 20 minutes a solution of 0.46 g of (R,S)-α-bromophenylacetyl chloride in 10 ml of CH₂Cl₂ was added dropwise. After the mixture had stood at room temperature over a weekend, the solvent was eliminated and the solid residue was triturated with diethylether, suction filtered and the filtrate was evaporated down. 0.6 g of α-bromophenylacetic acid N-(bis-trifluoromethylbenzyl)-amide were obtained as a light beige solid.

Yield: 43.5%.

2nd Step: 0.21 g of 4-propionylamino-piperidine hydrochloride were dissolved in 30 ml of anhydrous DMF, 0.33 g of K₂CO₃ were added and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature. Over 20 minutes a solution of 0.68 g of the product of the first step in 10 ml of DMF were added dropwise to this mixture, which was then stirred overnight at room temperature. The suspension was filtered, the filtrate was evaporated down, the oily residue obtained was taken up in ethyl acetate, extracted twice with 10% KHCO₃ solution and once with saturated NaCl solution. The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, the filtrate was evaporated down and the semi-solid residue obtained was triturated with diethylether and suction filtered. 0.33 g of (R,S)-4-propionylamino-1-[2-phenylacetic acid-N(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-amide]-piperidine were obtained as a white solid.

Yield: 64%. Mp: 189-191° C. FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=516.4.

EXAMPLE 33

Mp: >240° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=556.4

0.3 g of the compound according to Example 25 were converted into the corresponding base by treatment with KHCO₃ and dried. The resulting product was dissolved in 5 ml of anhydrous THF, 34 mg of NaH (60% in oil) were added and the mixture was stirred for 1.5 hours at room temperature. Then 0.1 g of methyliodide were added and the mixture was stirred overnight. The reaction mixture was mixed with 2 ml of THF/water (1:1) then with 25 ml of water and extracted 3 times with ether. The combined ether extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄ and evaporated down in vacuo, thereby obtained 170 mg of the desired compound in the form of a free base (oil). This was converted into the dihydrochloride by the addition of an excess of ethereal HCl, the dihydrochloride being obtained in the form of yellow crystals.

Yield: 113 mg (36%).

The other compounds of the invention may be prepared analogously, e.g. as follows:

EXAMPLE 3

Mp 235-238° C. FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=542.2.

EXAMPLE 4

Mp: >240° C. (Decomp.). FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=542.3.

EXAMPLE 5

Mp: 158-164° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=556.4.

EXAMPLE 6

Mp: 97-99° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=556.3.

EXAMPLE 7

Mp: >240° (Decomp.); FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=528.4.

EXAMPLE 8

Mp: 102-105° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=640.3.

EXAMPLE 9

Mp: 141-149° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=579.2.

EXAMPLE 10

Mp: 218-223° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=579.3.

EXAMPLE 11

Mp: >220° (Decomp.); FAB-MS (M+H)⁺=571.3

EXAMPLE 12

Mp: 205-210° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=591.3.

EXAMPLE 13

Mp: 87-95° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=571.2

EXAMPLE 14

Mp: 164-166° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=537.3.

EXAMPLE 15

Mp: 208-210° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=578.3.

EXAMPLE 16

Mp: 110-115° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=542.3.

EXAMPLE 17

Mp: 118-123° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=556.3

EXAMPLE 18

Mp: 134-136° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=514.3

EXAMPLE 19

Mp: >240° (Decomp.): FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=564

EXAMPLE 20

Mp: 180-185° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=564.3

EXAMPLE 21

Mp: 228-232° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=606/608

EXAMPLE 22

Mp: 70-73° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=586

EXAMPLE 23

Mp: 248-254° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=596/598/600

EXAMPLE 24

Mp: 210° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=664.1

EXAMPLE 25

Mp: 192-199° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=542.3

EXAMPLE 26

Mp: 112-118° C.; FAB-MS: (+H)⁺=562/564

EXAMPLE 27

Mp: 124-127° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=606/608

EXAMPLE 28

Mp: 118-120° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=606/608

EXAMPLE 29

Mp: 120-122° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=562/564

EXAMPLE 30

Mp: >240° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=562/564

EXAMPLE 31

Mp: >240° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=546.3

EXAMPLE 32

Mp: 125-130° C. (Decomp); FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=610.4

EXAMPLE 33

Mp: >240° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=556.4

EXAMPLE 34

Mp: 145-151° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=641.3

EXAMPLE 35

EXAMPLE 36

Mp: 175-176.5° C.

EXAMPLE 37

Mp: 157-158° C.

EXAMPLE 38

Mp: 155-172° C. FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=592.2

EXAMPLE 39

EXAMPLE 40

EXAMPLE 41

EXAMPLE 42

Mp: 142-150° C. FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=558.2

EXAMPLE 43

EXAMPLE 44

Mp: 107-111° C.; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=575.6

EXAMPLE 45

M.p: >230° C.

EXAMPLE 46

M.p: >230° C.

EXAMPLE 47

M.p: 127-137° C. FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=592

EXAMPLE 48

EXAMPLE 49

EXAMPLE 50

M.p. 106-110° C. FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=549.4

EXAMPLE 51

EXAMPLE 52

Mp: 133-143° C. FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=542.3

EXAMPLE 53

M.p. 110-120° C. FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=570.4

EXAMPLE 54

EXAMPLE 55

EXAMPLE 56

EXAMPLE 57

EXAMPLE 58

Mp: 212-216° C. (Decomp.) FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=624.3/626.3/628.3

EXAMPLE 59

Mp: 244-246° C. (Decomp.) FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=624.1/626.2/628

EXAMPLE 60

Mp: 113-123° C. FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=550.3

EXAMPLE 61

Mp: 195-205° C.

EXAMPLE 62

Mp: 210-218° C. FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=620/622

EXAMPLE 63

Mp: 215-224° C. FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=576/578

EXAMPLE 64

Mp: 85-92° C. FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=572.5

EXAMPLE 65

Mp: 148-156° C. FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=578.4

EXAMPLE 66

Mp: 113-117° C. (decomp.) FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=528.5

EXAMPLE 67

Mp: 265-268° C. (decomp.) FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=619.3

EXAMPLE 68

Mp: 236-238° C. (decomp.) FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=528.3

EXAMPLE 69

Mp: 177-187° C. FAR-MS: (M+H)⁺=605.3

EXAMPLE 70

Mp: 123-133° C. (decomp.) FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=616.3

EXAMPLE 71

Mp: 87-97° C. FAB-MS: (M+H)³⁰ =600.2

EXAMPLE 72

Mp: >230° C.

EXAMPLE 73

Mp: >230° C.

EXAMPLE 74

Mp: >230° C.

EXAMPLE 75

Mp: 91-98° C. FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺=574.4

EXAMPLE 76

Mp: 234-236° C.

EXAMPLE 77

Mp: 195-198° C.

EXAMPLE 78

Pharamaceutical Preparations

Injectable solution 200 mg of active substance* 1.2 mg of monopotassium dihydrogen phospate = KH₂PO₄ ) 0.2 mg of disodium hydrogen phosphate = ) (buffer) NaH₂PO₄.2H₂O ) 94 mg of sodium chloride ) or ) (isotonic) 520 mg of glucose ) 4 mg of albumin  (protease protection) q.s.   sodium hydroxide solution ) q.s.   hydrochloric acid ) to adjust the pH  to pH 6

sufficient water to make a 10 ml solution for injection

Injectable solution 200 mg of active substance* 94 mg of sodium chloride or 520 mg of glucose 4 mg    of albumin q.s.    sodium hydroxide solution ) q.s.    hydrochloric acid ) to adjust the pH  to pH 9

sufficient water to make a 10 ml solution for injections

Lyophilisate 200 mg of active substance* 520 mg of mannitol (isotonic/structural component) 4 mg of albumin Solvent 1 for lyophilisate 10 ml  of water tor injections Solvent 2 for lyophilisate 20 mg  of Polysorbate ® 80 = Tween ® 80     (surfactant) 10 ml  of water for injections *Active substance: compound according to the invention, e.g. that of Examples 1 to 78.

Dosage for humans weighing 67 kg: 1 to 500 mg 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of treatment of depression in a patient comprising administering to said patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound of formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Ar is unsubstituted or mono- to penta-substituted phenyl, or unsubstituted or mono- or di-substituted naphthyl, in which the substituents of the phenyl and naphthyl are independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃ and NR⁹R¹⁰, wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl and acetyl; or Ar is phenyl substituted by —O—CH₂—O— or —O—(CH₂)₂—O—; R¹ and R² together with the N to which they are bound form a ring of the formula

wherein p is 2 or 3; and X is oxygen; or X is N(CH₂)_(n)R⁶; wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, and R⁶ is (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, phenyl or naphthyl, wherein the phenyl is optionally mono- to tri-substituted by halogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, O-(C₁₋₄)alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃ or NR⁹R¹⁰, wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl and acetyl; or X is CR⁷R⁸, wherein R⁷ and R⁸ have one of the following meanings: (a) R⁷ and R⁸ are each hydrogen when R³ is unsubstituted or substituted phenyl; (b) R⁷ is phenyl, phenyl substituted by 1 to 3 substituents, wherein the substituents are independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁₋₄) alkyl, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, CF₃ and OCF₃, piperidinyl, 1-methylpiperidinyl,

 when R⁸ is hydrogen, —CONH₂, —NHC(O)CH₃, —N(CH₃)C(O)CH₃, CN, —C(O)NH(C₁₋₃)alkyl, or —C(O)N((C₁₋₃)alkyl)₂; or (c) R⁷ and R⁸ together form the group

R³ is hydrogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, unsubstituted phenyl or mono- to tri-substituted phenyl, wherein the substituents are independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃ and NR⁹R¹⁰, wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl and acetyl; R⁴ is phenyl (C₁₋₄)alkyl or naphthyl (C₁₋₄)alkyl, wherein phenyl is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents, independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃ and NR⁹R¹⁰, wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl and acetyl; and R⁵ is hydrogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, CH₂COOH, —CH₂C(O)NH₂, hydroxy or phenyl (C₁₋₄)alkyl.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said compound is an NK-1 antagonist.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said administering is orally administering.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein X is oxygen.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein X is N(CH₂)_(n)R⁶.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein R⁶ is phenyl or naphthyl.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of:


9. The method of claim 5, wherein R⁶ is (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein said compound is:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said compound is a racemate.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein said compound is an enantiomer.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said enantiomer is an (R)-enantiomer.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein said enantiomer is an (S)-enantiomer.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is an HCl salt.
 17. The method of claim 10, wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of:


18. The method of claim 17, wherein said compound is


19. The method of claim 5 wherein Ar is phenyl having 0, 1, 2 or 3 substitucnts.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein Ar is phenyl having at least one hydroxyl substituent.
 21. The method of claim 19, wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is an HCl salt.
 23. The method of claim 5, wherein Ar is phenyl having a substituent selected from the group consisting of —OCH₂O— and —O(CH₂)₂O—.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein said compound is

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein said compound is


26. The method of claim 25, wherein R³ is hydrogen or methyl.
 27. The method of claim 5, wherein R⁴ is phenyl(C₁₋₄)alkyl, wherein the phenyl is unsubstituted or mono- to tri-substituted.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein R⁴ is phenyl(C₁₋₄)alkyl, wherein the phenyl is substituted by one, two, or three trifluoromethyl groups.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein R⁴ is

R⁵ is hydrogen or methyl.
 30. The method of claim 5, wherein R⁵ is hydrogen or (C₁₋₄)alkyl.
 31. The method of claim 1, wherein X is CR⁷R⁸, wherein R⁷ and R⁸ have one of the following meanings: (a) R⁷ and R⁸ are each hydrogen when R³ is unsubstituted or substituted phenyl; (b) R⁷ is phenyl, phenyl substituted by 1 to 3 substituents, wherein the substituents are independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, CF₃ and OCF₃, piperidinyl, 1-methylpiperidinyl,

 when R⁸ is hydrogen, —CONH₂, —NHC(O)CH₃, —N(CH₃)C(O)CH₃, CN, —C(O)NH(C₁₋₃)alkyl, or —C(O)N((C₁₋₃)alkyl)₂; or (c) R⁷ and R⁸ together form the group

R³ is hydrogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, unsubstituted phenyl or mono- to tri-substituted phenyl, wherein the substituents are independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃ and NR⁹R¹⁰, wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl and acetyl; R⁴ is phenyl (C₁₋₄)alkyl or naphthyl (C₁₋₄)alkyl, wherein phenyl is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents, independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃ and NR⁹R¹⁰, wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl and acetyl; and R⁵ is hydrogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, CH₂COOH, —CH₂C(O)NH₂, hydroxy or phenyl (C₁₋₄)alkyl.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein R³ is unsubstituted or substituted phenyl and R⁷ and R⁸ are each hydrogen.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is an HCL salt.
 35. The method of claim 31, wherein R⁷ and R⁸ together form the group


36. The method of claim 35, wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is an HCl salt.
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein said compound is


39. The method of claim 31, wherein R⁷ is other than hydrogen and R⁸ is hydrogen.
 40. The method of claim 39, wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 41. The method of claim 40, wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is an HCl salt.
 42. The method of claim 41, wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of


43. The method of claim 31, wherein R⁸ is selected from the group consisting of —NHC(O)CH₃ and —N(CH₃)C(O)CH₃.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 45. The method of claim 44, wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is an HCl salt.
 46. The method of claim 31, wherein R⁸ is selected from the group consisting of CN, —C(O)NH₂, —C(O)NH(C₁₋₃)alkyl and —C(O)N((C₁₋₃)alkyl)₂.
 47. The method of claim 46, wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 48. The method of claim 47, selected from the group consisting of


49. The method of claim 31, wherein R³ is hydrogen.
 50. The method of claim 31, wherein R³ is unsubstituted phenyl.
 51. The method of claim 31, wherein R³ is mono- to tri-substituted phenyl.
 52. The compound of claim 31, wherein R⁴ is phenyl (C₁₋₃) alkyl, wherein said phenyl is optionally substituted by 1 or 2 substituents, independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, methyl, methoxy, CF₃ and OCF₃; and R⁵ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁₋₃) alkyl, CH₂COOH, —CH₂C(O)NH₂ and phenethyl.
 53. The method of claim 52, wherein R⁴ is

R⁵ is hydrogen or methyl.
 54. The method of claim 31, wherein R⁷ is


55. The method of claim 54, wherein said compound is

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 56. The method of claim 55, wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is an HCl salt.
 57. The method of claim 31, wherein R⁷ is


58. The method of claim 57, wherein said compound is

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 59. The method of claim 58, wherein said compound is


60. The method of claim 31, wherein R⁷ is


61. The method of claim 60, wherein said compound is

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 62. The method of claim 61, wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is an HCl salt.
 63. The method of claim 31, wherein R⁷ is 4-morpholino.
 64. The method of claim 63, wherein said compound is

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 65. The method of claim 64, wherein said compound is


66. The method of claim 31, wherein R⁷ is 1-piperidinyl.
 67. The method of claim 66, wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 68. The method of claim 67, wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is an HCl salt.
 69. The method of claim 68, wherein said compound is


70. The method of claim 31, wherein R⁷ is


71. The method of claim 70, wherein said compound is

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 72. The method of claim 71, wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is an HCl salt.
 73. The method of claim 31, wherein R⁷ is 1-pyrrolidinyl.
 74. The method of claim 73, wherein said compound is

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 75. The method of claim 74, wherein said compound is


76. The method of claim 31, wherein Ar is phenyl having 0, 1, 2 or 3 substituents.
 77. The method of claim 31, wherein R³ is hydrogen or methyl.
 78. The method of claim 31, wherein R³ is unsubstituted phenyl.
 79. The method of claim 31, wherein R³ is mono- to tri-substituted phenyl.
 80. The method of claim 31, wherein R⁴ is phenyl(C₁₋₃)alkyl, wherein said phenyl is optionally substituted by 1 or 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, methyl, methoxy, CF₃ and OCF₃; and R⁵ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen (C₁₋₃) alkyl, CH₂COOH, —CH₂C(O)NH₂ and phenethyl.
 81. The method of claim 80, wherein R⁴ is

R⁵ is hydrogen or methyl.
 82. The method of claim 31, wherein R⁵ is hydrogen or (C₁₋₄)alkyl.
 83. The method of claim 31, wherein R⁸ is hydrogen.
 84. The method of claim 31, wherein R⁸ is selected from the group consisting of —NHC(O)CH₃ and —N(CH₃)C(O)CH₃.
 85. The method of claim 31, wherein R⁸ is selected from the group consisting of CN, —C(O)NH₂, —C(O)NH(C₁₋₃)alkyl and —C(O)N((C₁₋₃)alkyl)₂. 